San Jacinto News Times - Local News
Copyright 2013 - Polk County Publishing Company

Community works together to give wounded warriors a day of fishing

Volunteers, businesses and residents joined the American Legion Post 629 in Camilla this past weekend in making eight wounded veterans from the Patriots and Heroes Outdoors (PHO) organization feel at home while enjoying a day of fishing on Lake Livingston. The eight came in from San Antonio on Friday afternoon and were greeted at the American Legion Post with a reception before retiring to the Sunday Houses in Coldspring where Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner Dick Scott had secured overnight facilities for them. Baskets were placed on the porch of each house by Sunday Houses owner Linda Currie and members of the community, First Baptist Church of Coldspring and Coldspring Methodist Church brought cards and treats and put them in the baskets for the soldiers. "People were coming by all day," said American Legion Post 629 Commander Dale Everitt. Early Saturday morning breakfast was prepared and waiting for the eight at the American Legion Post before embarking on a day of fishing on Lake Livingston. Returning to the Post at noon for lunch, a presentation was made to the soldiers, county officials and Post members by Texas Parks and Wildlife Craig Bonds, Director of Inland Fisheries Region 3 and Assistant District Fisheries Biologist Mark Homer. The presentation covered projects of Lake Livingston and the Trinity River. Saturday evening was spent cleaning and preparing 72 fish caught by the eight veterans. Around 5 p.m. the fish were cooked and a feast held, followed by an evening of karaoke. Over 50 American Legion Post 629 volunteers helped with the event which was the first of its kind held on Lake Livingston. "We spent time Saturday evening discussing the event for next year and how we can make it bigger and better," Everitt said. "We were told by the eight veterans that, "San Jacinto County is the most patriotic county in Texas," Everitt said.